This is unacceptable and deeply concerning.
Multiple studies indicate that the West Philippine Sea holds significant untapped oil and natural gas resources. Any attempt to exploit the situation—at a time when global attention is focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—not only undermines our sovereignty, but also threatens regional security and the rules-based international order.
While our immediate priority is to ensure the welfare of our affected kababayans in the Middle East and address tightening fuel supply in the country, we must not lose sight of the need to respond with firmness and resolve to China’s provocative actions.
I urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to immediately file a diplomatic protest against these deliberate, illegal, and unprofessional actions. I likewise call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines to intensify patrols and continue exposing these violations.
Hindi lamang ito usapin ng soberanya—ito ay usapin din ng seguridad sa enerhiya at kinabukasan ng bawat Filipino.
Ipinaglaban at naipanalo na natin ang ating mga karapatan sa arbitral tribunal, alinsunod sa United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Kaya malinaw: atin ang West Philippine Sea, atin ang mga yaman at resources na nakapaloob dito, at hindi tayo dapat natitinag sa pakikipaglaban dito.